Question

How is the difference of two vectors, \[\vec{a} - \vec{b}\], defined algebraically?

Options

• By adding the negative of the vector: \[\vec{a} + (-\vec{b})\]

• By multiplying vector \[\vec{a}\] by the inverse of vector \[\vec{b}\]

• By subtracting the magnitudes and retaining the direction of \[\vec{a}\]

• By taking the ratio of the magnitudes of the two vectors

Answer 1

The difference between two vectors is formally obtained by adding the negative (opposite) of the second vector to the first vector, which is expressed as \[\vec{a} - \vec{b} = \vec{a} + (-\vec{b})\].